Costa del Sol with kids: 10 family-friendly resorts!

A vacation on the Costa del Sol with kids is fun! The Costa del Sol is one of the most famous regions in Spain, and every year many families with kids flock to this region because of its beautiful beaches and nice climate. You have several family-friendly resorts on the Costa del Sol, where you can stay with the family. In this blog we list the 10 most fun family-friendly destinations on the Costa del Sol and also give many tips for fun children’s activities you can do on the Costa del Sol with the family.

Table of contents

Best travel time Costa del Sol with kids

The best travel time to visit the Costa del Sol with kids is during the warm summer months of April through October. During this period, temperatures are above 20 degrees and it is usually sunny. Ideal weather for exploring the beautiful beaches of this region.

The busiest months on the Costa del Sol are July and August, when some resorts can be crowded and accommodation prices can be higher than in other months. If you want to avoid these busy months it is best to go to the Costa del Sol with kids in June or September.

If you go during the off-season, however, certain attractions may still be closed, so always check in advance if the sight or attraction is open before you drive there for nothing.

Transportation to and in Costa del Sol

The finest means of transportation to get around the Costa del Sol is a car. Most families with kids come to this region with their own car or fly to Malaga and rent a car here. At Malaga airport you can easily rent a car through Sunny Cars and then it is often less than an hour’s drive to the various destinations on the Costa del Sol.

We always rent a car in Spain with our daughter through Sunny Cars, because they have a really nice package of insurance and conditions which is all included in the price. We have only had good experiences with Sunny Cars and have rented cars abroad through them many times now. So be sure to check online to rent a car at Malaga airport.

In the various seaside resorts on the Costa del Sol you can do some great walking in the center. Most places are not that big and then walking is a fine option with kids. You can often also use the bus or a cab to get around. Between several resorts there is a train connection, so you can also travel by train between these destinations with kids.

Family-friendly destinations Costa del Sol

#1 Marbella

One of the most famous resorts to visit on the Costa del Sol with kids is Marbella. Marbella has several beautiful beaches that are extremely family-friendly. You have many facilities on these beaches and Marbella also has a huge promenade along these beaches where you can go for a snack and a drink. You also have several beach clubs here, which are great for kids.

In the Marbella area you can do several fun things with kids. Near Marbella there is a nice climbing park (Aventura Amazonia) where you can go climbing with kids and you can also do canyoning with kids. You then go through a gorge led by a guide and then jump from different rocks into the water. For more information, read our blog Marbella with kids.

If you are looking for family-friendly accommodation in Marbella, these are very good options:

Budget accommodation: Ona Alanda Club Marbella

Mid-range accommodation: Senator Marbella

Luxury accommodation: Boho Club

Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Marbella.

#2 Benalmadena

Benalmadena is also a nice beach town to visit during your vacations on the Costa del Sol with the family. Of course you can go to the beach in Benalmadena with kids, but there is also plenty to do in this town for families with kids. For example, you have a cool cable car in Benalmadena where you can go up the mountain. You have a beautiful view of the surrounding area from this mountain.

You can also view different animals in Benalmadena. For example, there is a butterfly garden in this resort on the Costa del Sol, where you can walk around with kids among hundreds of species of butterflies. You can also go to a dolphinarium in this Costa del Sol resort with kids. At Selwo Marina they give shows with dolphins and sea lions and you also have several monkeys here that you can watch.

There is also a branch of Sea Life in Benalmadena, where you can see lots of different kinds of tropical fish, jellyfish, rays and sharks. This is also a great activity if the weather is not so good on the Costa del Sol and you still want to do something with kids. For more information, read the blog Benalmadena with kids.

You have here the following family-friendly accommodations in Benalmadena…:

Budget accommodation: Hostal Sol y Miel

Mid-range accommodation: Pierre & Vacances Benalmádena Príncipe

Luxury accommodation: Vincci Selección Aleysa

Also, check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Benalmadena.

#3 Fuengirola

In Fuengirola you also have some very family-friendly beaches, some of which also have a seal of approval (blue flag). Besides the beautiful beaches and the cozy center you can do more in Fuengirola with kids. For example, here you have Bioparc Fuengirola which is a small animal park, where you have about 2 hours of entertainment. You can see different animals here such as the tiger, the crocodile and the monitor lizard.

You also have a fun water park in Fuengirola that you can visit on the Costa del Sol with kids. AquaMijas Water Park has several spectacular slides as well as several pools and slides for the youngest kids. We always like to go to a water park with our daughter when it is warm and this is an ideal water park to visit with kids for a day.

If you want more information about this resort, read the blog Fuengirola with kids. Again, you have several family-friendly accommodations you can book in Fuengirola:

Budget accommodation: ILUNION Miramar

Mid-range accommodation: Fuengirola Beach Apartamentos Turísticos

Luxury accommodation: Leonardo Hotel Fuengirola Costa del Sol

Also, check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Fuengirola.

#4 Estepona

Estepona is a somewhat lesser-known resort on the Costa del Sol, but here too you have family-friendly beaches to visit. One of the most famous beaches in Estepona is Playa Del Cristo which is sheltered in a bay and you also have plenty of facilities for kids here. In addition to the beaches, you can take kids to an animal park in Estepona on the Costa del Sol.

At Selwo Aventura you can see several large African animals such as the elephant, giraffe and lion. You can go on a guided safari here with kids and the animal park also has some specific children’s activities you can do such as zipline and trampoline. For more information, read our blog Estepona with kids.

You also have plenty of family-friendly accommodations in Estepona:

Budget accommodation: Ona Valle Romano Golf & Resort

Mid-range accommodation: Estepona Holiday Hills

Luxury accommodation: Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa

Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Estepona.

#5 Torremolinos

Torremolinos is one of the most famous resorts you can visit on the Costa del Sol with kids. In Torremolinos you can do great shopping and in the center and on the boulevard you have many family-friendly restaurants and cafes. Besides the beautiful beaches, you have a number of fun activities you can do with kids here.

So you can visit the water park Aqualand Torremolinos which has several spectacular slides and where you can easily spend a whole day with the family. Always check the website of Aqualand Torremolinos in advance to see which slides the kids can go down.

We also forgot to check this in the past and it turned out that our daughter was hardly allowed to go down any of the slides. Then it is a waste of money and better to go to another water park. Are your kids crazy about the animal the crocodile, then you can go to a park with dozens of crocodiles in Torremolinos. We wrote about this resort on the Costa del Sol, the blog Torremolinos with kids.

Family-friendly accommodations in Torremolinos are:

Budget accommodation: Candisol Cozy Inns

Mid-range accommodation: Sol Timor Apartamentos

Luxury accommodation: Melia Costa del Sol

Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Torremolinos.

#6 Nerja

The resort of Nerja is known for the caves you can visit with kids here on the Costa del Sol. These caves are located just outside the center of Nerja, and you can walk a 1.5-kilometer route through the caves with kids. The caves are also a cool children’s activity in the hot summer months, as it is quite chilly in the caves.

Another famous attraction in Nerja is Balcon de Europa which is a fun area to visit with kids and where you have a beautiful view of the area. Here you also have a few family-friendly beaches nearby that you can visit with the family. For more information, read the blog Nerja with kids.

Also in Nerja you have some nice accommodations where you can stay overnight:

Budget accommodation: Hostal Azahara

Mid-range accommodation: Carmen Rooms – Boutique B&B by the sea

Luxury accommodation: Ona Marinas de Nerja Spa Resort

Also, check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Nerja.

#7 Malaga

Malaga is the biggest city to visit in the Costa del Sol with kids. For many families with kids it is where they arrive by plane. You can go to Malaga for a nice city break and in the center you have a beautiful cathedral and Roman theater that you can visit.

A fun way to visit the city of Malaga is with an organized bike tour, where you will go on a guided tour of the city and pass by various sights. If your vacation on the Costa del Sol is in the hot summer months, it is best to visit the city in the early morning or late afternoon, so it is a lot less hot. For more information about this city, read the blog Malaga with kids.

Family-friendly accommodations in Malaga are:

Budget hotel: Hotel Las Américas

Mid-range hotel: Hotel Don Curro

Luxury hotel: Eurostars Málaga

Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Malaga.

#8 Motril

Motril lies to the east on the Spanish Costa del Sol (it is actually just off this Spanish coast) and this city still has several Moorish influences. From Motril it is also possible to take a boat to Morocco. You can also visit an old fort in Motril, where you will have a nice view from this fort over the surroundings.

From Motril it is also less than an hour’s drive to the beautiful city of Granada, which of course is another cool city trip to go to with kids. This is one of the most beautiful cities in the region of Andalusia. Motril is also a great place to stay with kids. Below are some good family-friendly options in Motril.

Budget accommodation: Impressive Playa Granada Golf

Mid-range accommodation: Elba Motril Beach & Business Hotel

Luxury Accommodation: Aguacate Beach Apartamentos Playa Granada

Also, check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Motril.

#9 Torrox

Torrox is a much lesser known resort that you can visit on the Costa del Sol with kids. If you are looking as a family for a resort that is a lot less touristy than the other resorts, Torrox is a good option. Torrox has beautiful sandy beaches and a nice old center. Despite being a lot less touristy, there are still plenty of family-friendly accommodations you can book.

Budget accommodation: Hotel Al-Andalus

Mid-range accommodation: Hotel La Casa

Luxury Accommodation: Apartamentos Martalia Nerja

Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Torrox.

#10 Mijas

Mijas is a beautiful white village on the Costa del Sol, which is fun to walk through on an afternoon with the kids. The village has beautiful white buildings and also has several Arab influences.

You have donkeys in the center that transport tourists, but you have to make your own choice whether you want to use this. You can visit the village chocolate factory here with children, and kids can make their own chocolate bars.